Gov. Mike Beebe says he'll call a special session for lawmakers to address health insurance increases set to take effect Jan. 1 for the state's public school employees.

Beebe says the session will begin at 3 p.m. Thursday.

State officials have said an additional $54 million is needed to keep rates at the current level. In August, a board approved increases up to 50 percent for the 47,000 teachers on the state plan starting Jan. 1. For example, the premium for family coverage under the most popular plan will increase from $1,029 to $1,528 a month.

Lawmakers are considering using $43 million from its surplus this year and redirect state money in subsequent years. The new money would lower the premium increases to 10 percent.

"I would not be issuing this call if we hadn't already seen extraordinary bipartisan efforts to help our teachers and other public-school employees in Arkansas," Governor Beebe said. "After dozens of meetings with legislators, district officials, teachers and other involved parties, we have a solution that may not please every individual group, but will help alleviate the spike in insurance rates and shore up this insurance program."

The call includes bills that will, if approved:

- Provide $43 million in one-time surplus funds to reduce the 2014 rate increase from 50% to 10%.

- Modify the requirements for Teacher Professional Development to provide long-term relief to the plan.

- Establish a task force to study and revise the Public School Employees Plan for future sustainability.

- Clarify the distribution of State revenue generated by the Uniform Rate of Tax, as advised by the Arkansas Supreme Court, and direct some of that revenue to the Educational Facilities Partnership Fund.